Chelsea confirm acceptance of two written transfer requests for aging stars

Chelsea have confirmed that they have accepted the written transfer requests of striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Alex ahead of the January transfer window.

The aging side, who triumphed in an 3-0 away victory at Newcastle today, have said that both players free to leave once the January transfer window opens in the next few weeks.

In this afternoon's post-match comments, Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas stated that both men's transfer requests had been accepted and that the players' training sessions are "scheduled at different times" to that of the first team.

At 32, Anelka is considered by most to be past his best and has been a periphery figure at the club for the 2011/2012 season, having scored just once from 14 total appearences. It is thought that Spurs could be a possible destination for his services, though Harry Redknapp's men are also keen on Didier Drogba instead.

Alex on the other hand, has been linked to Serie A sides such as Juventus for much of the past 18 months, and at 29, still has plenty to offer. He has made just eight appearences in total this season, including a miserly three league appearences despite the Blues' recent defensive woes.